The name rolls off the tongue. His music, a melodic combination of R&B and Soul, that was forged through the heavenly sounds of Gospel, combined with Days, Months, Years of practice, and influences of some of the greatest singers of this time, will let anybody and everybody know that Mikel is one of the best. Mikel John Petree, Born 21st of march 1982, Kansas City, Missouri. Since young age, Mikel has shown a great passion for singing. Already, at age 12, he was requested to sing in church, where nobody yet knew the talent that would be shaped over the years to come. Leading the choir with his Tender voice, “Amazing Grace” was his favorite churchsong. For almost 6 years, Mikel was at the front of the stage, elevating the Spirits of many, and with that, he came to realize that his talent was something that was not to be taken lightly. Growing up on the Southeast side of Kansas city, Mikel’s life, and with that his music, was filled with an Urban influence. R&B became a bigger part of his visions, and Mikel began to write his own music, developing the seductive, sensual style that he has kept till this day. Hoping to become a fully developed entrepeneur, Mikel enrolled into a college program of Fashion Merchandising management, where he learned everything there is to know about what goes on behind the stages. Through 3 years of Fashion Shows, Visual displays & Clothing Design, Mikel developed his own style, and with that a complete vision of his future on stage was created. During his time at College, Mikel sang daily. Because of his absolute passion for singing, and a inner desire to be heard by the Whole World, Mikel started performing in smaller venues, winning numerous moneyprizes in Singing contests. It was here that Mikel developed a good sense of how life would be in the Entertainment industry. For Mikel, this period of his life was all about learning. “In church people always said I sang in Ethnic Grace, but when the day came I decided to become a singer, I realized I was facing an industry that wouldn’t allow me to be underdeveloped. I wanted to become a triple threat, A singer first, a songwriter second, and a dancer third.” With these thoughts motivating his every move, Mikel started educating himself even more by constantly writing and practicing a capella songs, taking classes in the art of Beat-Making, and working very close with smaller studio’s, motivated to learn the art of Music-Production. For years Mikel practiced dancemoves and studied choreography, to make sure he would be able to, at one point, show his skills on Stage. Over the course of 2001, he tought danceclasses, getting his body in perfect physical condition. At the end of 2001, Mikel decided to Elevate his Career. In 2002 and 2003 Mikel won the Festival of the 4 states competition 2 years in a row, after which he received an invitation for his first major event. Mikel was invited to sing our country’s “National Anthem”, and to open up for Jo Dee Messina at the Root 66 Music Festival in Joplin, Missouri. Between 2003 and 2004, Mikel performed at a series of smaller venues, and by building up capital, he had the oppurtunity to have the music he made and Loved, fully produced and put on Disc. In early 2005, one of these disc came into the hands of GVH Productions, a Hip-Hop label from Longview, Texas. In june of 2005, Mikel was introduced to the rapper knows as Tynizzle, and together they collaberated to create Mikel’s first professional smashhit “As We Get Down”. Soon after the production, “As we get down” came out in the stores on Single, Issuing in a new era. Highly motivated, Mikel doubled his own efforts, producing numerous tracks, and within months after relocating to Longview and the production of his first professional single, his first Album: “Mikel/Soulhop” was developed. With the smashing clubtrack “As We Get down”, “4giv me” and the smooth flow of “Soulhop” feat. Caucacian, leading this fantastic album, Mikel started developing a fanbase that ran from Texas through Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas. In July of 2005 Mikel was invited to do Album Autograph signings all over Missouri & Kansas. Most noted was a signing with Sam Goody Music Store, in which the press showed for Mikel , and he was on the evening news the same night. Mikels debut album was one of the top sellers at Sam Goody. Through efforts made by Mikel his Hit Song “As We Get Down” made it overseas into Germany, where in September of 2005 “As We Get Down” became the Number 1 requested clubtrack in German Hip-Hop and R&B clubs. “As We Get Down” was so big it made it to 68th out of the top 150 T Pain was below Mikel at number 69 with “In Luv With A Stripper.”Mikel amazingly enough also topped artist’s like Janet jackson, Mariah Carey, Rapper 50 Cent, and Ray J to name a few. For Years, the European, and South American crowds have shown Mikel a lot of love and support through mail & Internet communication, and to this day his tracks can still be downloaded off German, and Portuguese internet sites. Unfortunately, at the end of 2005, Mikel’s tour of Germany was cancelled due to personal reasons, and Mikel’s Non-exclusive contract with GVH label was mutually ended. For 2 years, Mikel worked through a series of personal struggles in his life. But, with a Re-innovated mindset, he returned to the Stages of Missouri and Kansas in 2007. In May of 2008, Mikel headlined in Joplin, Missouri, attracting the attention “G-Money”, a small HipHop group from Tulsa. They invited Mikel to do a collaboration in Tulsa, where Mikel was first introduced to his new manager, Paul DeAngelis, One Part of QuarterStop Entertainment. He became a part of that vastly growing company in June of 2008. Over the course of 2008 and early 2009, Mikel has opened up for Southern Rapper “Lil Will” of Dungeon Family inc, Dallas, TX., and HipHop artists Lil Keke, and Michael”5000”Watts of Swishahouse Records, Houston, TX. Mikel also had the honor of opening up for none other than “Adina Howard” of East/West records, Warner Music group, New York City, NY., and “The Dream” of Def Jam Records, Atlanta, GA. Currently, Mikel is recording his second professional album, “Neon Dreams & Liquid Love” QuarterStop Entertainment, LLC (2009) An album filled with hits like “4Play” Feat. Trauma, “The Beach” Feat. El Catracho, , “I keep Tellin U” Feat. RoadRunna, “Sensual Supernatural” and “Climaxin.” When asked about the efforts he has made, Mikel defines, His Career: “Of course I can’t give up, I love to sing, and I was made to perform. As soon as I put myself down to make a good track I write some of the greatest lyrics that can blow steam from the stage.” “When I step into the club, I create a unique vibe that is known as, and feels like, “Soul hop”, it’s the X-plosion of HipHoptracks, infused with smooth R&B vocals, Thus, creating a melodic harmony of styles.” About His Love for Women and the influence women have on his Music, “I love women and they love me, I’m a ladies man all the way, I’m tenderhearted, kind, and I know how to caress women’s emotions. I’m very pro-women oriented, an activist of sorts, I’m all about women’s rights. In my personal relationships I’ve been through all the trials and tribulations. I’ve loved, I’ve lusted after. But when I write a song, it’s really about my passion I share for the female race.” When asked about his performances, Mikel defines, For the younger Crowd, Depending on the atmosphere and the group of people, it makes a big difference what type of songs I sing. For the younger crowd, we take ‘em to the beach to enjoy the surf and sand, and we Hit ‘em with some Soulhop. For the ladies, I got the slow jams, the love songs, the tender cuts. For the dudes, I’ll pop it off with Crisp & Clean Hip-Hop. When I step into the club, for the older crowd, I like to set a show off by showing the ladies a little bit of 4-Play, my way. A touch of SuperSensual Natural, and before u know it ill have them reachin “Climax”